City of Ukiah issues permit for Palace Hotel

The City of Ukiah has issued a permit to the owner of the Palace Hotel that will allow her to finally begin removing piles of rotted building materials and other detritus amassed in the long vacant structure.

"The permit is very limited," Planning Director Charley Stump told the Ukiah City Council Wednesday, explaining that the permit applies to the first phase of debris removal, which is in a limited section of the hotel. "We expect phase two to come along soon."

That removal could not begin until the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District approved of a new asbestos consultant hired by Laines and the removal plan, and last week acting air pollution control officer Robert Scaglione said his district approved of the consultant and just needed maps of the removal area.

Laines told the council the MCAQMD approved the "phase one removal plan, which includes the concession area for the museum, as well as the restaurant and the bar," and that "we're excited to begin this project."

Laines said she had also "retained a financial adviser" to help with acquiring financing for the rehabilitation plans and to help her with title insurance.

"When do you think that first bunch of junk will be out of there?" asked Council member Mary Anne Landis, and Laines said it would be "Monday or Tuesday."

When Landis asked if a road closure or encroachment permit would be needed, Laines said she did not believe so.

When Council member Phil Baldwin asked "when do the tours start up again?" contractor Norm Hudson said he was not sure yet.

The council then agreed to delay voting on a resolution that would allow the city's Public Works Department to take over abatement of the building, which Baldwin called "a stay of execution."

Justine Frederiksen can be reached at udjjf@pacific.net, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or 468-3521.